Australian star pacer Mitchell Starc is all set to make a return to the Big Bash League (BBL) after an 11-year break, signing once again with the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming BBL 15 season. The tournament, scheduled between December 14 and January 25, will see Starc don the magenta once more since his last appearance in the 2014 season.
Starc has been signed as a supplementary player, similar to the past two seasons. However, his recent retirement from T20Is opens up a window for participation in the latter half of the tournament. His involvement will depend on fitness after the Ashes, which conclude on January 8. The supplementary player rule allows each BBL team to include two Cricket Australia-contracted players with limited availability without affecting their primary squad strength. Starc opened up about his affection for the Sixers.
“I can’t wait to pull on the Sixers’ fresh magenta playing shirt in BBL|15. Over the past decade, I’ve stayed close to the club and, all things going to plan, am excited to get back on the field this summer. The Sixers are close to my heart, and I have great memories of our BBL|01 and Champions League success. My goal is to help bring another trophy home to our passionate fans,” Starc said in a statement.
View this post on Instagram
Mitchell Starc is a great ambassador for the club: Sydney Sixers general manager
The pacer will join an already strong Sixers squad, which features Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques, Steve Smith, and international stars like Sam Curran and Babar Azam. The left-arm quick, last played for the Sixers in 2014, finished with 20 wickets in 10 matches.
He was also part of their victorious campaign in the inaugural BBL season, where the Sixers defeated Perth Scorchers in the final, and he led the wicket charts during their 2012 Champions League triumph. Sydney Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes hailed Starc’s signing, calling it a major boost for the franchise.
“Mitch’s strike power with both the new and old ball is unmatched, and we hope he will play a vital role in our push towards the finals. Even when not playing in recent years, Mitch has shown himself to be a great ambassador for the club, and we look forward to that leadership playing a major role on and off the field in BBL|15,” Haynes said.
Sydney Sixers’ squad for BBL 15:
Sean Abbott, Babar Azam (Pakistan), Jafer Chohan (England), Sam Curran (England), Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith. Marquee supplementary list: Mitchell Starc
India
